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At Green Bay Smiles, we understand how confusing your oral health care can sometimes be. We have compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we encounter to give you additional information about your oral health and treatment options. If you have further questions, or to schedule your appointment with our experienced dentist in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Dr. Casey Messer, please call our office today at 920-339-9013.
Sensitive teeth are most often caused by slightly receded gums. When your gum line has receded, the underlying dentin can show through, which allows food and water to more easily access your sensitive tooth nerve. There are a variety of options to reduce and manage sensitivity, including toothpastes, gels, and even some dental procedures! If you have sensitive teeth, please speak with our dentists.
You should brush at least twice a day, and before bed. You should floss daily. Dentists often recommend that you use a fluoridated mouth rinse as well. Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine will help keep your mouth healthy and prevent problems such as cavities and gum disease.
Flossing reaches the areas of your mouth that your toothbrush cannot, such as in between the teeth and below the gum line. This removes plaque and food debris, and it disrupts harmful bacteria so that it cannot colonize in your mouth and cause harm.
Visiting the dentist regularly allows you to receive preventive care, which helps keep your teeth and gums healthy and free from decay and disease. You should visit the dentist at least twice each year for a dental checkup. These appointments also save you time and money in the long run, as preventing or stopping a problem in the early stages will help you avoid needing a costly, uncomfortable, and time-consuming procedure in the future.
Children should visit the dentist as soon as their first tooth emerges, or no later than their first birthday. These initial visits are designed to provide parents with additional information so that they can help their child care for his or her teeth, and to help the child feel comfortable in the dental office.
Your child should visit the orthodontist no later than age 7 for his or her initial orthodontic screening. By this age, their mouths and jaws have developed enough that it is easy to diagnose any developing problems, and to determine if and when orthodontic treatment should begin.
Preventing decay and disease, and maintaining good oral health, begins at home. Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing, in combination with keeping your regular dental appointments for preventive care, will help you minimize your risk of developing gum disease or cavities.
Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease. It is caused when bacteria surround the teeth, causing the gums to become irritated, inflamed, and to bleed. Gingivitis can be managed and further damage can be prevented by regular hygiene visits and a rigorous at-home oral hygiene routine.
Periodontal disease is a chronic dental condition that causes gum recession, deterioration of bone tissue, and eventual tooth loss. It is caused by harmful bacteria in your mouth which infect your gums, and it should be treated immediately to prevent permanent damage from occurring.
There are a variety of treatments available for periodontal disease, depending on the severity of your condition. These treatments include periodontal cleanings, scaling and root planing, laser therapy, antibiotic therapy, and periodontal surgery.
Silver, or amalgam, fillings have been around for decades. They are made of a metal alloy. White, or composite, fillings are made of plastic or glass polymers, and they are designed to blend in with your teeth to create a natural-looking result.
Our dentists offer cosmetic dentistry to improve your smile and enhance the beauty of your teeth. There are many cosmetic treatments available to help you achieve your smile goals, including:
- Tooth whitening
- Dental bonding
- Porcelain dental veneers
- Porcelain dental crowns
- Orthodontics
- And more!
Contact our office today to schedule your appointment and learn more about our cosmetic treatments.
Tooth whitening, or bleaching, is an effective, safe, and fast procedure to enhance the beauty of your smile. Tooth whitening works to lighten the stains and discolorations on your tooth enamel to brighten your smile. Your whitening results can last for years if maintained properly. Remember that substances such as coffee, tea, cola, and wine will reduce the effect of your whitening – if it could stain a white shirt, it will stain your smile!
Dental bonding is a cosmetic and restorative treatment used to change the color of a tooth, fill gaps between teeth, and improve the overall shape and appearance of your tooth. This treatment is cost-effective, and it can be completed in just one visit to our office.
Porcelain dental veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells that are bonded to the front surfaces of your teeth to change their size, shape, and color. Veneers may be recommended to repair fractured teeth, teeth that are darkened by age or medications, or teeth that are slightly crooked.
Dental crowns, or caps, are a permanent restoration that cover the entire visible portion of your tooth to change the size, shape, and color of your teeth. Crowns are typically recommended when a tooth is damaged by decay or fractured, and the procedure can be completed in as few as 1 or 2 visits to our office.
Dental implants are artificial tooth replacements that are designed to replace the tooth itself as well as the tooth root. Implant posts are typically made of titanium, and they are surgically placed under the gum and into the jawbone to anchor the replacement tooth.
There are many benefits to dental implants, including:
- They look and function just like your natural tooth
- They are permanent restorations and can last for a lifetime when properly cared for
- You can maintain them through good oral hygiene and routine dental visits
- They decrease the possibility of bone loss, periodontal disease, tooth movement, and future tooth loss
- They replace or reduce the need for a removable denture
- They provide a single-tooth focus, meaning that no tooth structure of the adjacent teeth is removed or compromised
Thanks to advances made in implant dentistry and in dentistry as a whole, most people are candidates for dental implants. As long as your mouth is healthy, you will likely be able to receive an implant. Exceptions may be made due to chronic illness, severe osteoporosis, or heart disease.
The cost of dental implants varies from dentist and dentist. We recommend that you schedule an implant consultation to discuss the procedure and all fees involved.
Your dental implant procedure will take about 3-4 months on average. During your first visit, we will take an X-ray and create impressions to serve as surgical guides, and to build a temporary crown or other dental prosthesis to cover the implant.
During your second visit, your implant post will be surgically placed into your jawbone, and the area will be covered with sutures. A period of healing will then be allowed, during which the implant will bond with your bone.
Following this healing period, you will return to your dentist to begin creating your crown or other restoration to cap the implant post and complete your treatment.
Yes. Our office offers several financing options to work with your budget. Please contact our office or visit our Financial Options page for more details.